During search, Ianello's in charge

December 01, 2009|AL LESAR Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND -- One guy, along with head coach Charlie Weis, has endured the peaks and valleys of the Notre Dame football program over the last five years. And he's the last guy standing. Now's the time for Rob Ianello to earn all those titles he's had attached: Assistant head coach (offense), wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator. Irish athletic director Jack Swarbrick Monday named Ianello to take over the program while the search for a new boss is in progress. When the dust settled on the news of Weis' firing, Ianello mapped out his plan: Keep the present players together in case a bowl game becomes a reality; keep a recruiting class with a lot of potential together, and keep open the lines of communication between the football program and the administration. "I've committed to Jack to do all I can during this transition for the university, and I'm going to devote my time and efforts to that," Ianello said when asked if he planned to look for a new job during this period. "I'm going to give all my energies to Notre Dame." The 44-year-old Ianello just finished his 23rd year in the coaching business. He earned his reputation as a top notch recruiter during stops at Arizona and Wisconsin. His success as a receivers coach has been evident from the progress of guys like Jeff Samardzija and Golden Tate. "I've learned a great deal from (Weis) during my time here, so it's kind of been ongoing advice," Ianello said of what advice Weis had provided. "(The most important was) just to take care of your family is the No. 1 thing he's told me during the transition, and I certainly appreciate that."